Renowned guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of seminal rock act The Black Crowes, Rich Robinson has announced his US summer tour this May and June. The tour begins in May 27 in Washington, DC and will route from the East Coast to the Midwest, closing with a headlining festival engagement in Manitowoc, WI on June 20. The tour follows the explosive release of Robinson’s Record Store Day exclusive 7” single via The End Records/Circle Sound.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out and seeing everyone,” explains Robinson. “I’ve been enjoying the simplicity of these acoustic shows where I can break a song down to its purest form. It’s been great for me. However it is always great and fun to be loud with my band.

Those shows are going to be a lot of fun. We’re so happy to have Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar) filling in for Ted Pecchio on these shows. Gordie is an old friend and amazing musician. Ted had prior commitments and we look forward to seeing him back in the saddle very soon.”

Renowned guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of seminal rock act The Black Crowes, Rich Robinson, is excited to announce the upcoming digital release of his EPDirigible Utopia.

The EP, originally part of an exclusive bundle package for his latest studio releaseThe Ceaseless Sight, includes four instrumental tracks and will be available on December 9th via Circle Sound / The End Records.

Also running during the acoustic tour, the Movement Gallery of Art will be exhibiting Rich’s abstract paintings, Gallerist Michael Bartolacci and Curator Denise Jackson are pleased to showcase Rich’s art opening on Saturday, December 6th and running through January 10th. Rich will join guests for an opening night reception on December 6th.

For a limited time only, a physical version of the Dirigible Utopia EP is available in standard and bundle configurations CLICK HERE

More on Rich Robinson:
Robinson was born in 1969 and formed the The Black Crowes with his older brother Chris in Atlanta in the 1980’s. At the age of 17, Robinson began writing the music for the songs that would land on the band’s 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, which sold 7 million copies. Over the next 10 years, Rich’s songwriting evolved into the musical engine that powered the band to sales of more than 25 million albums. Before taking a hiatus in 2001, the Crowes catalog included classics like The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, Amorica, By Your Side, and Live at the Greek: Excess All Areas, a double album that captured the teaming of Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes for performances of Led Zeppelin, Crowes and blues and rock standards.

The Crowes went on hiatus in 2001 and in 2004 Rich began his solo journey with the release of his first album, Paper. The record was largely an extension of Rich’s musicianship as a Black Crowe showcasing his stellar and under-rated guitar playing and, for the first time, Rich took on the role of lyricist and lead vocalist. Paste Magazine: “Rich Robinson brings back not only roots-rock accessibility, but the complexity and originality that transformed the Black Crowes into a band that mattered. Paper is filled with beautiful melodies and harmonies, creative guitar work, fitting instrumentation and, most of all, excellent songwriting.”

It would be seven years before his second solo album, Through A Crooked Sun, and an accompanying EP,Llama Blues, were released as the Crowes reunited in 2005 and were actively recording and touring until their second hiatus in 2010. Crooked Sun, a far more personal album than his first, was a collection of 12 songs that expressed the increasing spiritual and political awareness that Rich’s life had taken. Recorded in Woodstock in 2011, the album featured Joe Magistro, Steve Molitz and guest performances by Warren Haynes, Larry Campbell, Karl Berger, John Lindberg, and John Medeski.

A worldwide Black Crowes tour kept Robinson busy in 2013, but he found the time to return to Woodstock to record The Ceaseless Sight. The album finds Robinson stepping solidly into his own as a solo artist as he adds confident vocalist and lyricist to his accomplished musical resume.

Renowned guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of seminal rock act The Black Crowes – Rich Robinson will be returning to the road in the US this December for a run of solo acoustic dates in support of his latest solo studio album, The Ceaseless Sight.

Also running during the acoustic tour, the Movement Gallery of Art will be exhibiting Rich’s abstract paintings, Gallerist Michael Bartolacci and Curator Denise Jackson are pleased to showcase Rich’s art opening on Saturday, December 6th and running through January 10th. Rich will join guests for an opening night reception on December 6th.

“My inspiration to paint comes from the possibility of what could be. I love to use oils because they take a while to dry. While I’m painting, it changes as the paint combines, which then influences the content of what I’m painting. For me, the painting process differs from music because of the solitude involved. It starts and stops when I decide. The similarity is the way I’m influenced. With music, it’s the sonics that influence me. A tone can spark a whole song. With painting, it’s the color and textures that influence me. I layer on the paint and as the textures develop, the painting takes shape. The general relationship is different because of the number of senses used. With guitar it’s my ear that dictates the song and moves me. With painting it’s the feel of the paint, the feel of the brush in your hands, the smell of the paint and the depth of what I’m seeing. Music is much more ethereal.” – Rich Robinson (taken from Paste Magazine)

More on the Movement Gallery of Art
The Movement Gallery of Art, a contemporary art space devoted to showcasing a diverse range of established and emerging artists. While we have special interest in Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and Pop Art aesthetics, we continually push creative boundaries with revolving monthly exhibitions focused on visually progressive, 21st Century artists. Our goal is to connect, enrich and inspire our collective community.

Having sold well over 30 million albums throughout a career that spans over 25 years, his new album represents the full evolution of Robinson as a songwriter, a vocalist, and a solo artist.

Rich Robinson, founding member, songwriter and guitarist of The Black Crowes, has music in his blood. 2014 finds him taking full advantage of some down time from his main project and stoking his creative fire. Robinson recently released his third solo album ‘The Ceaseless Sight’ via Circle Sound / The End Records. Having sold well over 30 million albums throughout a career that spans over 25 years, this powerful new album represents the full evolution of Robinson as a songwriter, a vocalist, and a solo artist. Icon Vs. Icon recently caught up with Rich Robinson for a quick Q&A about his career, creation of his new album and more.

Rich Robinson

Your music has been part of the soundtrack to many of our lives. Take us back to your earlier years — What are your first memories of music in your life?

Growing up my first memories of music was my dad playing Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Sly and the Family Stone, and Joe Cocker. I remember the album artwork, and the feel of the records and the whole sonic and tactile experience. It felt like an alternate world.

You have been very successful through the years as a musician. What do you consider the secret to your longevity as an artist?

Just writing ?is ?what moves me. Never writing for any other reason other than what brings you Joy. What makes you feel good.

Your third solo release, ‘The Ceaseless Sight,’ was just released. What made now the time to create and release this album?

We decided the Crowes wouldn’t be touring in 2014.

How did the title for the album come about and what does it mean to your personally?

As I was writing lyrics for the song ?’?Down the Road,?’? I wanted to reflect my life moving forward. Never looking back. I wrote the line ” Ceaseless Sight on the Horizon”. I thought that would be a good representation of where my beliefs are and what the record represents.

Rich Robinson – ‘The Ceaseless SIght’

Did you have any particular goals or expectations in mind when you started creating this album?

I don’t have any preconceived goals or expectations other than I want to get a feeling from it and have it move me. If it’s something I want to listen to over and over then I’m happy.

What can you tell us about the songwriting process for this album and how it compares/contracts to your previous work?

I went in with skeletons of songs versus having finished songs. I wanted to use the energy of creation in the studio.

How is the current tour going? How has your approach to touring changed through the years?

The tour is great. I have a great band and even more importantly everyone is incredibly positive.

How do you feel you have evolved as a musician through the years?

Music and life experience changes your outlook. I’ve become much more positive over The years.

Is there still musical ground you feel drawn to explore as an artist? If so, where do you think your musical journey will take you?